Golden Knights record since hiring John Tortorella: How new Vegas coach has turned team around to set up playoffs run

Golden Knights record before John Tortorella

When the Golden Knights fired Cassidy, Vegas was 32-26-16 and in third place in the Pacific Division. The Golden Knights were also six points behind the Ducks for first in the division and four points ahead of the Los Angeles Kings, who were the first team out of the playoffs at the time.

MORE:John Tortorella's coaching timeline

Why did Golden Knights fire Bruce Cassidy?

Vegas was struggling at the end of March, having lost seven of its last eight games, nine of its last 11 games, and 12 of its last 14 games.  Therefore, the Golden Knights decided a coaching change was needed to provide a spark ahead of the playoffs.

"With the stretch run of the 2025-26 regular season upon us, we believe that a change is necessary for us to return to the level of play that is expected of our club," Vegas GM Kelly Kelly McCrimmon said in a statement. "With John Tortorella, we bring in a Stanley Cup Champion as well as one of the most experienced and respected coaches in the NHL. His guidance will be a great asset to our team at the pivotal point in the season we currently face. We look forward to welcoming John to Vegas."

While Cassidy led the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup championship in 2023, and made the playoffs with Vegas in each of the last three seasons, this season was on pace to be Cassidy's worst with the team.

From 2022 to 2025, the Golden Knights earned 319 points in three seasons, averaging over 106 points each year. However, when the Golden Knights fired Cassidy in at the end of March, the Golden Knights had 80 points and were barely hanging on to a playoff spot.